Over the past two seasons on the local club scene, the debate around the most consistent player in the senior championship most likely comes down to two men from the same household.
Loughrea defender Kieran Hanrahan has developed into one of the county’s marquee backs, a player whose evolution has been as steady as it has been impressive. But his older brother Ian, the Loughrea captain, has repeatedly delivered when it has mattered most and his performances have personified a fundamental leader.
The Loughrea midfielder may not be the flashiest player in an admittedly-stacked team, but his endeavour, leadership and relentless consistency have marked him out as one of the standout performers in the competition.
Captain at the heart of Loughrea’s rise
After last year’s county final, Ian Hanrahan created history by becoming the first Loughrea man to lift the Tom Callanan Cup on two occasions. And this Sunday, his aim is to become the first man from ‘the Town’ to get his hands on the Tommy Moore Cup.
With that prospect now just one victory to away, there’s an excited energy emanating from the man they call “Ducky”, without him even having to open his mouth to confirm it.
He said: “There’s great excitement around the town. Every second person is talking to you about the hurling – how’s training going and the injuries and all this craic. The buzz is great and it’s great to be a part of it.
“We were training over the Christmas and when you came into the dressing room, there was a bounce in everyone’s step. It has been a different Christmas but a very enjoyable one to tell you the truth.
“You’re not out in the pubs as much. We did enjoy the few days after the Slaughneil game but after that it was back down to training and focusing on the challenge that lies ahead.”
That tunnel-visioned focus was evident in Loughrea’s All-Ireland semi-final victory over Slaughtneil, a performance Hanrahan felt improved as the game wore on after a lengthy break from competitive action.
“The performance was good,” he said. “I suppose the first 30 minutes was probably a bit rusty after a seven-week layoff. It took us the first half to get up to speed, but once we kicked into gear, we started to hurl the way we can hurl. It was a pleasing performance and a great result.”
A challenge worthy of the occasion
That result has earned Loughrea a meeting with one of the most formidable clubs in the country. Ballygunner’s reputation needs little introduction, and Hanrahan is well aware of the scale of the task that lies ahead.
“They’re a phenomenal team. They’ve won so many county titles in-a-row and a good few Munster titles as well. They’re serious opposition with a lot of really good hurlers and inter-county players. We know it’s a huge challenge, but it’s one that we’re really looking forward to.”
While respectful of the Waterford champions, Hanrahan is confident that Loughrea will travel to Croke Park believing they can any team on their day. Something those who have watched them closely in recent seasons would certainly concur with.
“We’ve a good team and a good squad, and there are lots of really good young lads coming through in Loughrea,” added the man who works for the ESB by day. “When you get to a final, you need a bit of luck as well. If we get a bit of luck on the day, it’ll all fall into place.”
Sunday will also mark a first competitive appearance in Croke Park for Hanrahan, which puts him in the minority in this Loughrea starting team. But it’s something that adds an extra layer of significance to the occasion, particularly as he leads the team out as captain.
“It’ll be a huge honour. It’s a great honour to play there with your club and to wear your club jersey in Croke Park. As Johnny Coen says, we’re very privileged to be playing with Loughrea at the minute in a really good team. It’s a great feeling.”
The memory of Loughrea’s only previous All-Ireland final appearance in 2007 still lingers within the club, even if this current panel is writing its own chapter.
“I remember going up to all those county finals as a young guy,” Hanrahan recalled. “That team was really good, but they came up against a serious Ballyhale side [in the All-Ireland final] with Henry Shefflin and a young TJ Reid and just came up short.”
This time around, Loughrea face a similarly daunting test, but Hanrahan accepts that such challenges are unavoidable at this level.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best. When you get to the last two teams in the country, they have to be two good teams. Hopefully, it’s a good game. If both teams play to their full potential, we’ll see what happens.”
Ultimately, should Sunday end in success, Hanrahan knows exactly what it would mean to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand to hoist the Tommy Moore Cup on behalf of Loughrea.
“There’s a fantastic family affair with this team. There are so many brothers and cousins and it’s a really tight group. It’s a testament to Tommy and the management that they’ve instilled belief in us and gelled us together over the past five years.
“It would be the greatest honour of my hurling career to do accept the cup — to go up for Loughrea and represent the town and the team. It would be the best feeling ever,” concluded Hanrahan.
